Billiat to make international return in Afcon qualifiers

Khama Billiat is set for his international comeback this week after being included in Zimbabwe’s squad for their opening 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Kenya on Friday.

It will be the 34-year-old Billiat’s first outing for the Warriors since quitting the national team after the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.

Billiat, formerly at Ajax Cape Town, Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs, spent seven months without playing football after being released by Chiefs just over one year ago but then revived his career in Zimbabwe with Yadah Stars.

He has been persuaded out of retirement by new Zimbabwe coach Michael Nees and is fancied to line-up in the Group J clash being played in Kampala, Uganda.

The match is on neutral territory because of Kenya’s absence of suitable stadia to host international matches.

The same is true of Zimbabwe, who will then be staying on in Uganda and hosting their second qualifier, which is their home match, against Cameroon in the Uganda capital nwxt Tuesday.

Billiat is one of seven former South African-based players in the Zimbabwe squad, along with captain Marshall Munetsi (ex-Baroka and Orlando Pirates), goalkeeper Donovan Bernard (ex-Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila), defenders Teenage Hadebe (ex-Kaizer Chiefs), Gerald Takwara (ex-Ajax Cape Town), striker Walter Musona (ex-Polokwane City and Sekhukhune United) and Prince Dube, who was on the books at SuperSport United in the 2017-18 season but never came off the bench to play.

Of the players in the Zimbabwe squad, only goalkeeper Washington Arubi and striker Douglas Mapfumo are currently with a Betway Premiership team.

The 39-year-old Arubi moved back to Marumo Gallants from SuperSport United in July while Mapfumo is at Polokwane City, having previously played at Cape Town City.

Arubi said he was delighted to be back with the Zimbabwe squad for the first time in three years.

“It’s very player’s dream to play for your country. We have been trying our level best at training to do well so that we can take it into our first game on Friday,” he said.

New Zimbabwe coach Nees, 57, is from Germany but spent two years in South Africa as director of coaching at the South African Football Association.

He was also previously national team coach of Rwanda and the Seychelles.